Dennis vermillion



"mais: s A'rEs artnr curio DENNIs vERMILLIoN, or WASHINGTON, Dis'rnrcror coLUMBIA.

EXCAVATOR OR DRAG FOR REMOVING MUD, SAND-BARS, SHOALS, &c., IN' BEDS OFRIVERS.

' Specification of Letters Patent No. 3,818, dated November 9, 1844.

To all 10h-omit may concern Be it known that I, DENNISVERMILLION, oflVashington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and usefulApparatus for Removing Mud or Sand-Bars or Shoals or Any other SimilarObstructions to Navigation from the Beds of Rivers, &c.; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe construction and operation of the same, reference being had to theannexeddrawing, making a part of this specication, and which representsthe complete apparatus.

Construction: A "series of courses of squared logs are, vertically aswell as transversely, bolted together in such a manner as to form onesolid bulk A.Y The respective outside logs are so shaped as to cause thebulk to resemble `the hull of avessel. From top to bottom, and near itscenter, this bulk is perforated by three, four, or more square mortises,which form an angle of about 45 degrees (more or less) with the horizon,as may be found most convenient.` In these Inortises are insertedcorresponding timbers B of a convenient length. At their lowerextremities these timbers assume a triangular shape, each presenting oneof its edges in front to the obstacle to be removed, and they terminatein blunt points, furnished with iron shoes. Furthermore these timbers,which I denominate breakers, are furnished at their upper ends withcylindrical perforations or holes, piercing them from their upper totheir under side. These holes are for the reception of correspondingbolts Z), which, after passing through holes in a cross-timber C, enterand secure the breakers. The cross timber C is fastened to the top ofthe main body, and directlyin front of the breakers. The breakers `areraised or loweredby means of a common lever, one end of which isinserted in the holes of said breakers, the cross piece C serving for afulcrum. Directly back of the breakers, and on the sides of the hull areplaced the standards or posts D. Between these is the horizontal'windlass E, around which wind the chains or ropes f, by means of whichthe rake F, hereafter described, is raised and lowered. Said chains orropes pass over pulleys Z inserted in the upper ends of the posts D. Therake F consists of the headpiece of wood, a number of iron prongsorteet-h, and a long wooden handle on each side, inserted into theaforesaid headpiece. On the top and near the ends of the headpiece areattached the chains or ropes Near the stern, and on the top, of the mainbulk A is placed transversely the oscillating cylinder G, properlymounted on the bearings g, beyond which on each side, the said cylinderextends. Each of these extensions has a cylindrical perforation or hole,through which the handles of the rake pass, and wherein they move. Thestandards or posts D are let in on the sides of the bulk in such a`manner as to be raised or lowered, as circumstances may require, and arefastened by one or more bolts h.

Operation: The apparatus, having been thus constructed, is attached toany common steamboat. One or more additional layers of logsare added onthe top, if the depth of the water should require it. For this purposethe posts D are made to slide up and down. The breakers B, by means of acornmon lever inserted in the holes are let down to the required depthfor action, and fastened by the bolts o. This done, the steamboatstarts, dragging the apparatus behind it, the breakers B breaking up thebars or Shoals, and the current of the water carries olf the sand, mud,or other obstacle thus torn up. If the current of the water should notprove powerful enough to carry olf the sand, mud, etc., resort is had tothe above described rake F, which is lowered by means of the windlass Eand the chains or ropes f, to a suflicient extent for effectiveoperation. This rake, following the apparatus as it moves along, will`carry along the obstacles loosened by the preceding breakers.

The whole apparatus being-mostly composed of wood, and but little iron,may be constructed at an expense comparatively trifiing, timber beinggenerally found inl `abundance in the neighborhoodwof those rivers andother waters, where the apparatus most likely is called for. Theroughness of the construction will also add to the cheapness thereof.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

rIhe combination of a bulk of squared logs, resembling the hull of avessel, the adjustable breakers B, and the rake F with its oscillatingcylinder G and vvindlass E, the Whole forming an apparatus for removing'sa'rd-or mud-bars or Shoals, or other 5 similar obstruction tonavigation, from the beds of rivers and other Waters; said apparatusbeing (substantially) constructed, and operates as hereinabovedescribed.

DENNIS VERMILLION. Witnesses:

n RICH. I-I. STEWART,

FRANCIS BEANE.

